Food embargo Russia imposed in response to the European punishment against Russia forced EU countries to compete among themselves, said in an interview Last news trade Commissioner of the Russian Federation in Belgium Anatoly Gorshkov.

"of course, food anti-sanctions had a serious impact on Belgium, and the numbers are certain. Farmers, by their own estimates, in 2014, lost 5, 5 per cent of trade in agriculture. If predicciones last year's total exports to the Russian Federation amounted to 5 billion euros, in absolute terms in 2014, Belgium had allegedly lost five hundred million euros as a consequence of our response, " - said the trade representative.

Gorshkov added that " this figure (500 million euros - approx. Ed.) about 10 % of the total export of Belgium in the Russian Federation ".

according to his statement, the authorities of Belgium and other European countries have taken a number of measures, for example, has allocated subsidies to agricultural producers, but as long as this is not enough." Everyone recognizes, because It is a drop in the ocean. Manufacturers looking for new markets, but they find it difficult. In search of alternative markets for agricultural products, European countries began to compete among themselves - and This was during the unified system of the EU ", - said the trade representative.

"It's a very unpleasant thing that they always tried to avoid," drew the attention of the pots.

Relations between Russia and the West deteriorated in connection with the situation in Ukraine. At the end of July 2014, the EU and the US from point penalties against certain individuals and organizations have moved to the measures against entire sectors of the Russian economy, such as military industry and high technology.

the foreign Minister of the EU countries on 22 June, have extended the economic sanctions against Russia until 31 January 2016, approving appropriate amendments to the EU sectoral restrictive measures concerning Russia. The decision came into force on 23 June. Russia with private parties in the summer of 2015 Grocery extended the embargo for another year - until 8 August 2016.

sections: Politics